Barbara Shaw (nee Lazenby) - Past Staff
Thursday, 3 February 2022

We were delighted to recently hear from former staff member at Lauriston, Mrs Barbara Shaw (nee Lazenby).  Barbara  was delighted to discover that the school recently celebrated its 120th Anniversary last year!  She has wonderful memories of her time as a teacher at Lauriston in the 70s and early 80s.

Barbara taught at Lauriston from 1973 to 1983, during Mrs St. Leon's time as Principal. Barbara was Miss Lazenby until May 1978 when she married and became Mrs Shaw. She taught Prep/Grade 1 at Niall House and from about 1980 to 1983, Barbara did relief teaching at Niall House and the Junior School.

Barbara remembers that she was one of the staff members to move from the main school to Niall House when it first opened. The Mistress-in-Charge was Miss Pam Clare, and subsequently Miss Sally Barnes West.  Barbara is pictured centre in this 1977 photograph, with her colleagues from Niall House.
 

Barbara still has a good number of photos of the girls in her classes. She followed them all with interest until they graduated years later. The daughter of one of her cousins also was at Niall House. She is Alison Cooke (Fenton, 1990), and was in Miss Barnes West’s class.

Barbara recalls that the years spent at Lauriston were the happiest of her teaching career. She is still in touch with three of her former colleagues.  Barbara left the profession when she and her husband moved to Queensland in 1984.

Barbara has subsequently taught adults in a voluntary capacity.

It is always lovely to hear from past students and past members of staff.  There is a true bond quite often, with teachers and their pupils and the connection that the school continues to foster, can be so fulfilling.

We look forward to continuing a deep connection with Mrs Shaw, for many years to come!